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GM Partners on Electric Vehicle Initiative

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General Motors announced that it will collaborate with the nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), consisting of 30 of the top electric utilities in the U.S. and Canada, to accelerate the introduction of plug-in electric vehicles.
The revolution you must join – or regret missing
The Internet gives you and every other repairer and everyone with an interest in this industry a voice.
Automotive Body Repair News
If you're a movie buff like I am, you're probably familiar with the Mel Gibson film "Braveheart." In my favorite scene, William Wallace calls his troops to arms against an overwhelming force of British soldiers, telling them they have a once in a lifetime opportunity to stand up and fight for their beliefs. Should they let that chance slip away, they'll regret it the rest of their lives.
The great divide
Insurers and DRPs have taken advantage of a situation we created by not operating as true business professionals.
Automotive Body Repair News
The divisions between shops are wider than they've ever been, and they're growing wider every day.
Many unhappy returns
Aftermarket Business
Just about any time there is a gathering of aftermarket folks, it doesn't take long for the discussion to get to the subject of returns. Undoubtedly, that is because the steadily increasing rate of returns has reached a level that threatens the very survival of many of our businesses. With rates climbing in some cases above a quarter of overall sales volume, the attention the topic receives is understandable. But with what might seem like heresy, I suggest returns are not one of the aftermarket's biggest problems, but a symptom of a greater problem or group of problems. Treating a symptom might provide short-term relief, but the underlying problem remains and will eventually cause further harm. The key to fixing the returns situation is accurately diagnosing the underlying malady and working to address it.
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Industry News
House approves $25 billion automotive bailout loan

3M completes acquisition of Meguiar's Inc.

Some shops like Hurricane Ike's inland track

Chrysler approves DuPont Cromax Pro waterborne basecoat

Belron to purchase Cindy Rowe Auto Glass

Toyota develops rear window airbag

Autoliv introduces lightweight anti-sliding airbag

PPG completes divestiture of auto glass business

California governor vetoes parts invoice, anti-steering bills

Congress passes Intellectual Property Enforcement Legislation

Metal Shop
Measuring for a PROPER FIT

The right roof repair

Measuring the measuring systems

Panel bonding you can trust

MIG Brazing facts about non-fusion

Paint Shop
Mastering the MIXING ROOM

Selecting a spray gun

Optimize Your Airflow in Spray Booths

Finishing touches

Ozone Transportation Committee considers waterborne paint policy

Proterra hybrid-electric transit bus debuts in San Diego
Motor Age
UQM TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a developer of alternative energy technologies, has announced that Proterra LLC, Golden, Colo., will showcase the prototype of its HFC 35 composite body, zero-emission, battery-dominant hybrid-electric transit bus powered by a UQM PowerPhase 150 propulsion system at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) exposition in San Diego, Calif., Oct. 6 through 8.
HUGHES Telematics selects Wind River for telematics architecture solution
Motor Age
HUGHES Telematics has selected Wind River as the foundation for its next-generation telematics architecture.
ExxonMobil selected for methanol to gasoline project
Motor Age
ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (EMRE) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Synthesis Energy Systems (SES) that provides SES the option to execute up to 15 Methanol to Gasoline technology licenses in their global operations. SES has chosen to assign the first license to a project near Benwood, W.Va.
New Valeo technology made to protect pedestrians
Motor Age
Valeo presents Safe4U(TM), an innovative new front end module that reduces the severity of pedestrian injury by 20-40 percent. Made of energy-absorbing materials such as malleable steel, its architecture optimizes the passive protection of the vehicle's occupants and pedestrians, and allows automakers to meet the new European Pedestrian Impact Phase 2 standard, which comes into force in 2010.
Clean Class 8 diesel trucks appear on southern California roads
Motor Age
Older big-rig trucks now can have cleaner emissions than even the most modern clean diesel trucks. Johnson Matthey's latest diesel emissions technology, the SCRT(R) system, was unveiled in southern California at the "Future Is Green" conference, an annual gathering of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association, made up of air pollution fighters from throughout California. The event is hosted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
Tokyo the latest area HUGHES Telematics expands into
Motor Age
HUGHES Telematics is opening its newest office in Tokyo. A presence in Japan allows HUGHES Telematics to be immediately accessible to Japanese automobile manufacturers in support of their telematics planning and execution activities.
WABCO's AMT accelerates product application
Motor Age
WABCO Holdings Inc. will unveil its new modular automated manual transmission (AMT) system at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2008 in Hanover, Germany, continuing the company’s 20-year track record of technology leadership in transmission automation.
Industry leaders join Reaction Design as it launches Model Fuels Consortium II
Motor Age
Reaction Design, a clean technology chemistry company, has announced the establishment of Model Fuels Consortium II (MFC-II). MFC-II is the second generation of a highly-regarded project for the development of cleaner burning, higher-mileage vehicles.
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